Select Page

This is the sixth article in a series which explores the SharePoint 2010 MySite features. This article will discuss the approach taken to use the MySite as the centre of the intranet.

Series contents:

  1. Overview, which details the MySite functionality provided by SP2010
  2. Anatomy, we delve inside the MySite and dissect its inner secrets
  3. Customisation for Branding, how to change the look and feel
  4. Customisation of My Content page, how to change the page layout and contents
  5. Customisation of a MySite Blog, how to alter the Blog
  6. The MySite centric intranet, putting the MySite at the centre of the universe – This Article

The approach

 

To understand how to approach using the MySite as the homepage we need to examine the distance and control of information for a user. This will help to explain the compelling reason for using the technical MySite approach as the homepage for the intranet.

The following diagram all follow the same theme, you as the user is the top left. As the axis moves further to the right the information is consumed/shared with more people. As the axis move down from ‘Me’ that user has less control of the authoring and creation of the information.

First is the MySite. Here the user has full unlimited control to the information and functionality available. The concept is similar to that of iGoogle where a use can add the widgets to the page they want. This section is not really consumed by other people and is really about that individuals context.

SocialIntranetOveriew1

Second is the Profile. This again is closely controlled by the individual user but starts to have outside influence from such things as HR or Active Directory entries. This information begins to be used and consumed by other people. This in concept is similar to a LinkedIn or Facebook profile.

SocialIntranetOveriew2

Third is Team Sites. This is where an individual use begins to collaborate or consume information shared with more people. Examples might be Wikipedia, YouTube and forums.

SocialIntranetOveriew3

Forth is the Community Sites. These sites move away from the traditional organisation team/unit and more towards natural work team sites. Again these are collaborative consume and contributed to by many.

SocialIntranetOveriew4

Fifth are the Corporate Sites. These sites are what can termed the ‘traditional’ intranet. The sites are authored by only a small number of users and consumed by many. This is normally where Marketing and Internal Communication sites are located.

SocialIntranetOveriew5

Sixth is External access. While not technically a content section the ability to access the platform from any location is important to the user.

SocialIntranetOveriew6

Finally are the Search, communicator and desktop sharing capabilities which should underpin the entire platform.

SocialIntranetOveriew7

Conclusion

 

So that wraps up the MySite series. Hopefully this has shown how the MySite is constructed and how it can be customised in a supportable manner. And finally how to view its positioning in the information architecture design for an intranet platform.